Litotes
Litotes noun - Understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary).
Usage example: saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes
Show all Definitions
Synonyms for Litotes
Understatement and litotes are semantically related in turn of expression topic. In some cases you can use "Understatement" instead a noun "Litotes". popular alternative
Understatement
Understatement noun - A statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said.
Show all Definitions
Synonyms for Understatement
Litotes and understatement are semantically related in technical topic. You can use "Litotes" instead a noun "Understatement", if it concerns topics such as restrained statement. popular alternative
Nearby Words: understated, understate, understating
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- device and litotes
- device and understatement
- delicacy and litotes
- delicacy and understatement
- ornament and litotes
- ornament and understatement
- subtlety and litotes
- subtlety and understatement
- comparison and litotes
- comparison and understatement
- exaggeration and litotes
- exaggeration and understatement
- reserve and litotes
- reserve and understatement
Cite this Source
Understatement and Litotes. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/litotes/understatement
Litotes & Understatement. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/litotes/understatement>.
Understatement or Litotes. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/litotes/understatement.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "litotes" and "understatement" have occurred on timeline